Califreezing

Went surfing today with some really good old friends, my brother Nate, Dave Jarman, Tim Hope, and Ryan Ford. We surfed the Rivermouth in Newport, it was a bit crowded, but the waves were just small, clean, peaky, and Bitchin'!! It was so fun being with friends enjoying some good surf. I was riding my friend's dad's 9'6" Robert August, and like always it was just smooth jazz. Today something happened that doesn't happen too often to me, I got two sweet little In-n-out barrels. So stoked!!! The reason for the infrequency of this eventful occurrence is due to my size. Though keeping good balance is something that I can do well, once my body is in the squatting position you could blow on me and to my chagrin I would tumble. Barrel riding requires this "squatting balance" that could help you maneuver through the barrel, or "tube" if you will, without falling. This is the reason for my excitement, some say it is a fluke, but I say that Poseidon felt like tossing a friendly wink my way and with a grin saying, "This one's on me Hooze...Mazel Mazel!"

Coming to an end

Well, my last fall semester at BYUH is coming to an end. I am stressing about some assignments but for the most part I've done most of my hard work during the semester. Two weeks from now I'll be in California...weird. Well this semester has been a good one. Tons of laughs with friends and roommates, waves with Ian and by myself both long boarding and finally towards the end on my new 6'6" single fin. Almost every saturday you could find Ian, Aaron and I skating at the Handcocks mini ramp at sunset, which I agree with Ian when he said, "The handcocks mini ramp has improved my quality of life." Music was played at open mics at the "A frame" house, different events, and in my living room with Aaron Puzey, Maggie Harris, Ted Davis, and Ian Patton. I successfully learned how to Salsa, Bachata, and Manege dance every Wednesday night at Latin Club, to say I was out of control would be an understatement, along with latin dancing I went to some rager dance parties with good friends where we'd let loose so much, we'd have dance-overs the next morning. I went on a good amount of dates this semseter, which didn't yield any fruits, but was full growing experiences some more comfortable than others.

I feel blessed to have gained two really good friends in the past 6 months, Ian Patton (my roommate) and Ted Davis (my house manager).I knew them before I moved in, but not even close to the extent at which I know them now. They have been great supports to me and have been there for me no matter what, whether it be slapping me in the face with reality or giving me the advice, compliments, confidence, and encouragement that I need. I will never forget the times I have had this semseter. Often the highlights of this semester are not the parties, jamming, catching bitchin' waves, or skating but the relaxing times in our house where we would sit and share some Yerba maté or tererê and our thoughts as friends and brothers.

I have learned a lot academically as well. My classes This semester seemed to have demanded a bit more out of me as usual, which they should seeing it is my senior year. I am really excited for my last semester and my excitement is coupled with nerves for my field practicum which will be from April-July. Come August I don't know where I'll be, but for now I am going to enjoy Hawaii and my friends and loved ones as much as possible.

Annabel Lee

So I am singing a song with Aaron Puzey, Maggie Harris, and Ted Davis. It is a song called Anna Lee that was written and composed by Aaron. The song is about his sister, Anna Lee Puzey. The song is amazing!!! But I have been thinking about a few other songs, one that shares the same song title, by Strung Out. The other is "Annabel Lee", by Tiger Army, and "Annabel" by Joshua James. These three other songs share the same source of inspiration for the song lyrics. They stem from a poem written by Edgar Allan Poe called "Annabel Lee." I find it interesting to see the different interpretation and feeling each lyricist/singer has given to this great dark poem.

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.

I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea;
But we loved with a love that was more than love-
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.

And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.

The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me-
Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.

But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.

For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea,
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

Annabel Lee by Tiger Army

Oh Annabel Lee, forever in my dreams.
You know you've still got a piece of my heart.
You've had it right from the start.

Oh Annabel Lee, stop haunting my dreams.
Yours is the face that I see in the dark, in the dark.

Into the darkness,
farther, my heart slips.
Into the darkness,
into the sea.

Oh Annabel Lee, the ocean calls to me.
In the spring when our love had its start.
Oh Annabel Lee,forever trapped by the memories,
in the sepulchre of my heart.

Black cats they scurry by in the night.
They tell me where you are.
In the chill of november
and now the kingdom is in ruins.
Just a memory of you and me.
Will you release me?

Into the darkness,
farther, my heart slips.
Into the darkness,
into the sea.

Oh Annabel Lee, those nights seem so long ago.
When my heart didn't feel so old.
Oh Annabel Lee, call your name for eternity.
Long as the stars shall burn and the moon glows.

The ocean whispers in night air
and you once were with me there.
Do you remember?
And I'm speaking your name.
Though it's over, think of me.
Will you release me?

Into the darkness,
farther, my heart slips.
Into the darkness,
into the sea.

Anna Lee by Strung Out

You hold this place inside my head you're a symphony of hurt
The daylight passes through me To another crippled verse
Been here once before and I know exactly where it ends;
Right back where we started pain dead flowers on the bed
Anna Lee don't you cry for me
You're not as strong as you wanna be
In the dark we all see what we know
It's the space that scares us so
You lead me to your garden where only dead things dare to grow
You convince me I deserve the thorn you've tried so hard to show
Normalness escapes me to the point of no return
The memories around thi place keep us from movin' on
Anna Lee don't you cry for me
You're not as strong as you wanna be
In the dark we all see what we know
Its the space that scares us so The endless balmy air we breathe
This city's startin' to get to me tonight
I'll take the metro anywhere that isn't here
I find the comfort in the pain I always cause...all night
She says she might wait around for me
To come along with a promise and a dream

Anabelle by Joshua James

I sold my ships away for a dime that I can't save.
Now this love I've made isn't real.
Shelter me, dearest lord, from this habit I can't break.
I've turned my back on you.
Now this road back home has froze.
Are you well, are you well my Annabelle, Annabelle?
Are you well, are you well my Annabelle, Annabelle?
Cuz I wish you well!
I traveled with a long suitcase and a busted picture frame
that shows the piano we played in the dark.
Then he sold you away to the darkest of the stage, put tight shackles around your heart.
Now I swear, Love, I never left...

Little update

So for the past week I have been sick with first the flu, then it morphed into bronchitis. I am currently about 87% better, just some coughing here and there. I read the Hunger Games while I was sick, what a entertaining book. Nothing to analyze and write papers about but it is a very fun read.

I woke up this morning with two texts, one from Shawn Gleason and the other from Matt Carroll. They both urgently directed me to the Thrice website. Which I did when my first opportunity came. I read the message written by Dustin Kensrue the lead singer of Thrice. It reads as follows:

Thrice is not breaking up. If nothing has broken us up by now, I doubt anything ever could.

However, we will be taking a break from being a full-time band, and the upcoming tour in the Spring will be the last one for the foreseeable future.

Playing music for the past 13 years with Riley, Ed, and Teppei has been such a gift. We have been able to see the world, share music with thousands and thousands of people, and make records with a variety of talented and inspiring people. The four of us have been through many highs and lows and overcome them together. I value their friendship, and it has been a great priviledge to play alongside them for so long. They are truly an amazingly gifted group of people, and the ways we’ve grown together as people and musicians has been a joy to experience.

Along the way we have adapted to many changing situations, especially the growing families of both Teppei and myself, but it has been harder and harder for me with each step. I have three little girls now under the age of 5, and it is a huge strain on my family and I when I’m away for several weeks at a time. The way we’ve been doing things for a while is simply not sustainable for me anymore.

I don’t know what the future looks like for Thrice, or for any of us individually. I do know that I would love to make more music in the future with them, as well as play some shows or short tours, but for the time being, I need to step out of the role of full time touring/recording musician, and will do so after this tour. I will continue to make music in various capacities I’m sure, and continue in my work as a Worship Director at Mars Hill Church in Orange County.

I know this will be very disappointing news to many people, and for that I am truly sorry. The amount of support and love we’ve been given in our career is staggering and overwhelming. I know I’m biased, but I think we have the best fans in the world.

This upcoming tour should be a lot of fun. We are planning for it to be somewhat of a celebration of the last 13 years and I’m sure we’ll be breaking out a bunch of songs that have been buried in the archives. I hope to see you out there to celebrate with us.

I never expected to be able to do any of this, let alone do it for 13 years, with such amazing bandmates, such gifted and hard working crew and management, and such incredible and loyal fans.

Thank you all.

I've been numb all day...emotionally that is. I feel very grateful that they have such high regard for family that they would set aside their passions and profession for the betterment of their loved ones. I also feel very sad, they are the cornerstone of all the music I listen to. They are a huge passion of mine and their music has provided a conduit for tender spiritual moments where I have felt the love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. This may seem funny to some people, but if you know Thrice at all, you will understand perfectly the experiences that I have had with their music and lyrics. I really hope that I can see them on their last full spring tour, It would be good closure. I will always love them as artists, poets, musicians, and good human beings.

Lunar Love

lunar love, moon above me,
you pull my heart and you pull the sea,
like you I only shine,
in the light of hearts brighter than mine,

shadows cast from the darkest trees,
you catch the sinner down on his knees,
throw the first stone if you dare,
down with your light and your judging stare,

Chorus
do the stars speak of me?
will you ever see?
your pull that moves the tides,
oh, it pulls on me

you're not the only one with a dark side,
a place to run to, a place to hide,
I know you're lonely up in the dark sky,
I can feel it when you cry,

is there no one for you above,
no one to hold, no one to love,
you're need for love is what I share,
someone to live life with someone to care,

Chorus (x2)

Oh, we are two lost souls,
shining on the world,
looking for a love that will never be

So Good

The Flame Deluge by Thrice

I feel that I was meant for something more
My curse, this awful power to unmake
And ever since you found your taste for war
You forced me onto those whose life you'd take

While Guernica in peaceful valley lay
And Dresden dreamed of anything but death
The day was turned to night and night to day
You let me loose upon their fragile flesh

And so I hid among the smaller things
You found me there and ferried me above
The flame deluge is waiting in the wings
The smallest thread holds back the second flood

And who will stand to greet the blinding light
It's lonely when there's no one left to fight

just 3 men enjoying each other's strength

Just Realized

So I have never been one for editing photos, but I just realized that I can edit them on my computer, Try look:

Project for my Social Work Macro Class

Stuck in my head these days

the moon the woods

grab their bullets and grab their guns

fill their shaking arms and run

stirred by the words of my first son

who said there's a mean wolf on the hunt

mothers cry in their fear

hold to those that they hold dear

frightened with eyes fixed on the clear

wait for the beast to appear

Chorus:

I know he's young and he's naive

but he's my strong and sober son

his wits are keen his eyes are sharp

when he cries wolf

I run

He only did what he was told

watched our woods like he watched his soul

seen both the warm nights and the cold

he the shepherd we the fold

your grace lasts only three false cries

they are only false in your eyes

the moon, the woods, my son and I

can sift our truth from your lies

Chorus:

I know he's young and he's naive

but he's my strong and sober son

his wits are keen his eyes are sharp

when he cries wolf

I run

your crooked council took his life

I comfort my mournful wife

his name now becomes your curse

as your pride drags his hearse

I hear a howl without the gates

outside your home he now waits

truth's last trump will make its sound

as he rips your body to the ground

his breath now stings your foolish eyes

my sons words ring through your mind

when he cries wolf

i run

Logging 10/29/11

One Day

Aloha Monday

Salt and Pepper

So I went surfing Tuesday morning with my friend Crystal Porter. We went out at a place called monster mush, which I had never surfed there nor desired the experience, but for some reason Poseidon's blessings of swell direction, tide, and wind made for a fun session. Caught some fun ones with this baby boomer mustached knee-boarder who was just cheering and giggling to himself about the sets that were coming in. He reminded my of my father, with his Salt and peppered hair and mustache, weathered/sun-kissed skin, gitty mood, and wise but loony presence, just singing and hooting to himself as my father does when the waves are good. Just a good time with the sun warming my back and a feel good vibe in the lineup with plenty of waves to go around, just bitchin'. Made it back in time for my 9:20 psych class...well I thought it was 9:40 due to my Mon, Wed, Fri 8:40 class, sometimes i get the 20 and 40 mixed up.

Diamonds in the rough

I had two diamonds this week amidst the rough times. So this week has been an emotionally draining one, for some reason there was a perfect storm of drama around me. Needless to say, Friday morning's surf session at leftovers was needed. Ian convinced me to ditch class and go surf, my classes weren't doing that much that day anyways so we went. Leftovers was good size solid 4-6 faces with the occ 8. I caught a good amount of waves and had a bitchin' time. To top it off, waiting for us were some Cokes on ice in a cooler in the trunk of Ian's car. We sat on Kamehameha Hwy comfortably warmed by the tropical sun sipping on ice cold coke listening to light Jazz as cars passed by...diamond #1.

Saturday morning I had a meeting in Kaneohe for work (A+). Maki and I went and received pretty fun instruction on how to play with the kids at work better. We had hands on training (playing & dancing to music). So it was not too bad. We got paid for the meeting too. When I came home I passed out then Ian and I made a marvel0us meal and jammed and pretty much lounged around the house. I was over it. So then I asked a good amount of girls if they wanted to go salsa dancing with me, I was lucky enough for the one who said yes. It was my friend Margaret Sekona. She is the beautiful Tongan girl from Alaska who is in the social work program with me. So I thought I had the restaurant picked out that had salsa dancing from 10-2am, but comes to find out its only on Fridays. So I frantically try to find other places in town. To my dismay, Honolulu does not offer salsa dancing on saturday nights. So not wanting to dissappoint Margaret I came up with a plan. We picked her up, and Ian's family friend Andresa. All four of us go down to town, then Ian directed me to a look out over the whole city. We park a little distance from some UH kids who were up there too. It was a little cold and we seemed a bit shy at first, but then I realized this wouldn't happen unless I just do the thing. I tell Ian to give me some music (which we brought with us some portable speakers) and he turned on the latin music. I grabbed Margaret and started dancing on the street with the lights of all of Honolulu just a glance away. Then Ian and Andresa started dancing too. It was so cool. Unfortunately, three songs into it, the police came and said that we needed to leave, they then spent time with the UH kids which gave us time for one more dance. We proceeded to this spot Ian and I knew about where there is a monument on top of a hill by the ocean, near point panic. We went there, set up and danced for a bit on top of this marble compass. Then Erwin, a security guard came. He was so funny and a way cool uncle. So he told us to take another 15 min to enjoy the night then we should leave. It was a magical night, the moon was super bright, lights of the city always before us, and just dancing to some beautiful Latin music...diamond #2 We then went to Liliha Bakery and got some unbelievably delicious food. This bakery is a gem...no a diamond even...diamond #3.

Three Diamonds that made a week of drama and stress still a beautiful and Bitchin' week.

Ian and Andresa

Margaret and I

Margaret, Me, and Honolulu

All of us on the monument

a saturday to remember

So today started with a dawn patrol with Ian. We woke in the dark and like zombies loaded the car and went for a surf. We checked some spots that weren't looking promising, then we went to this secluded spot and surfed for 2 1/2 hours by ourselves!!! We felt evidence of wind about two hours into our session, super glassy. We logged (old school longboarding) these very nice shoulder high waves. Our rides were like 100 yards long. Ian and I were all giggles...literally. What a marvelous experience, it was a beautiful sunrise and there was a little rainbow as well. Afterwards, we had some delicious delights at Ted's Bakery.

After dropping off the surfboards, I threw on some shoes, picked up Aaron Puzey, Alex and Andrew McDonell and we headed back up to the North Shore. We went to this family, The Hancocks, and skated their mini ramp. It was a really good skate session. We were all grins and grinds :) we cooled off at sunset beach (which is literally right across the street). Full of the good ups!!!

Across the world

So i have been thinking about my future a lot more constructively lately. So i started to look up places that i could intern at over the summer. I would like to go somewhere outside of the U.S. so i went ahead and called Australia and South Africa. I got a good lead in Newcastle, Australia. I feel pretty good about this one, hopefully i don't get to stoked on it and then it doesn't work out. I have also been thinking about getting a duel citizenship if i can, so i can get a UK passport. Apparently they da kine to have when traversing the world. I've been told you don't even need to get a visa in some countries if you have it, but i'm still slowly researching it. It'll probably be a lot of money and maybe not worth it, we'll see. I am also thinking of cape town south africa. But who knows these days what will really happen.

October and its good tidings

So this morning I did not wake up for General Conference (its live at 6am in Hawaii). I woke up and watched the second session of Conference with Ian Patton and Ted Davis. It was great, Loved Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk, as well as many others, very inspirational. I also had a good laugh at the way one of the 70s would give this smile during his pauses, it just tickled me. Put me in tears a one point. After Conference I finished a paper that was due today.

Maki and Cheka Hohaia came over and we all ventured to the north shore. Ted, Ian, Maki, Cheka, Roger and I. Ian and I surfed gas chambers, then I paddled over to green roofs and had the time of my life. I caught tons of waves and things were just clicking. Loved it...just bitchin. Ian broke the nose off of our longboard, i'm not to worried about it, though it sucks, it was and old waterlogged board. It was still riding great, that is why it sucks.

When I Came home I was chillin on the side of the house on the phone to Dave Jarman when Ted walked up with the mail and I see a package, I immediately inquire, "is that for me?" He said Yes!!!! It was the new Thrice CD Major/Minor. I had pre-ordered it a month before the release date, but the downfall of living in Hawaii is the slow mail. It came out September 20th, now 12 days later I laid on my bed reading the lyrics and listening it to the first time. What a marvelous experience to listen to well constructed music with uplifting, deep, and profound lyrics.

Last day of September two thousand eleven

After a highly stressful day of writing a paper, graduation application, scholarship application, and a presentation my roommates Ian, Ted, and I hosted a Latin dance party at our house. We took the sectional couch and put it in the kitchen to act as some sort of lounge. Ian had put around 30 cokes in a ice chest all day, so they were super cold and delightful. We had a bitchin' time when our friends both old and new came and swiveled their hips to some wonderful Latin music. Around 10:30pm our neighbors had called the police over to tell us to shut it down. So the rest of the night was spent with Ian, Andresa, Maki, and Cheka talking story in our kitchen/lounge sipping on cold cokes.

Ted getting down

Maki with the glassbottle coke in the background, and Tina from Yap, Micronesia on the right.

DJ Ian keepin things alive

It was hot.

Ted and I putting on the moves. Rog in the background livin' it up.